have created a Person which was not in Nature a boldness which at first sight would appear intolerable For he makes him a species of himself begotten by an Incubus on a Witch but this is not wholly beyond the bounds of Credibility at least the Vulgar I suppose still believe it But this is not the only Character of this Nature that Mr. Shakespear has written for Merlin as he introduces him is cozen-German to Caliban by Birth as those may observe who will read that Play As to the Foundation of this Comedy I am ignorant whether it be the Author 's own Contrivance or a Novel built up into a Play Titus Andronicus his Lamentable Tragedy This Play was first printed 4o. Lond. 1594. and acted by the Earls of Derby Pembroke and Essex their Servants 'T was about the time of the Popish-plot revived and altered by Mr. Ravenscroft In his Preface to the Reader he says That he thinks it a greater theft to rob the Dead of their Praise than the Living of their Money Whether his Practice agree with his Protestation I leave to the Comparison of his Works with those of Molliere and whether Mr. Shadwell's Opinion of Plagiaries reach not Mr. Ravenscroft I leave to the Reader I says he ingeniously freely confess my Theft and am asham'd on 't tho' I have the Example of some that never yet wrote a Play without stealing most of it and like Men that Lye so long till they believe themselves at length by continual Thieving reckon their stollen Goods their own too which is so Ignoble a thing that I cannot but believe that he that makes a common practice of stealing other Men's Wit would if he could with the same Safety steal any thing else Mr. Ravenscroft in the Epistle to Titus says That the Play was not originally Shakespear's but brought by a private Author to be acted and he only gave some Master-touches to one or two of the principal Parts or Characters afterwards he boasts his own pains and says That if the Reader compare the Old Play with his Copy he will find that none in all that Author's Works ever receiv'd greater Alterations or Additions the Language not only refined but many Scenes entirely new Besides most of the principal Characters heightened and the Plot much encreased I shall not engage in this Controversy but leave it to his Rivals in the Wrack of that Great Man Mr. Dryden Shadwell Crown Tate and Durfey But to make Mr. Ravenscroft some Reparation I will here furnish him with part of his Prologue which he has lost and if he desire it send him the whole To day the Poet does not fear your Rage Shakespear by him reviv'd now treads the Stage Under his sacred Lawrels he sits down Safe form the blast of any Criticks Frown Like other Poets he 'll not proudly scorn To own that he but winnow'd Shakespear's Corn So far he was from robbing him of 's Treasure That he did add his own to make full Measure Timon of Athens his Life This Play was thought fit to be presented on the Stage with some Alterations by Mr. Shadwell in the Year 1678. I shall say more of it in the Accounts of his Works The Foundation of the Story may be read in Plutarch's Life of M. Anthony see besides Lucian's Dialogues c. Troilus and Cressida a Tragedy Of this Play I have already given an Account see the Name in the Remarks on Mr. Dryden who altered this Play in the Year 1679. Twelfth-Night or What you will a comedy I know not whence this Play was taken but the Resemblance of Sebastian to his Sister Viola and her change of Habit occasioning so many mistakes was doubtless first borrowed not only by Shakespear but all our succeeding Poets from Plautus who has made use of it in several Plays as Amphitruo Maenechmi c. Two Gentlemen of Verona a Comedy Winter's Tale a Tragi-comedy The Plot of this Play may be read in a little Stitcht-pamphlet which is call'd as I remember The Delectable History of Dorastus and Fawnia printed 4o. Lond. Yorkshire Tragedy not so new as lamentable and true This may rather deserve the Old Title of an Interlude than a Tragedy it being not divided into Acts and being far too short for a Play These are all that are in Folio there rest yet three Plays to be taken notice of which are printed in quarto viz. Birth of Merlin or The Child has lost his Father a Tragi-comedy several times acted with great applause and printed quarto Lond. 1662. This Play was writ by our Author and Mr. W. Rowly of which we have already spoken For the Plot consult the Authors of those times such as Ethelwerd Bede G. Monmouth Fabian Pol. Virgil Stow Speed c. Ubaldino Le Vite delle Donne Illustri p. 18. John King of England his troublesome Reign the First and Second Part with Discovery of King Richard Coeur de lyon's Base Son vulgarly named the Bastard Fawconbridge Also the Death of King John at Swinstead Abbey As they were sundry times acted by the Queens Majesties Players printed quarto Lond. 1611. These Plays are not divided into Acts neither are the same with that in Folio I am apt to conjecture that these were first writ by our Author and afterwards revised and reduced into one Play by him that in the Folio being far the better For the Plot I refer you to the Authors aforementioned in that Play which bears the same Title Besides these Plays I know Mr. Kirkman ascribes another Pastoral to him viz. The Arraignment of Paris but having never seen it I dare not determine whether it belongs to him or no. Certain I am that our Author has writ two small Poems viz. Venus and Adonis printed 8o. Lond. 1602. and The Rape of Lucrece printed 8o. Lond. 1655. publish'd by Mr. Quarles with a little Poem annext of his own production which bear the Title of Tarquin banished or The Reward of Lust. Sr. John Sucklin had so great a Value for our Author that as Mr. Dryden observes in his Dramatick Essay he preferred him to Iohnson and what value he had for this small Piece of Lucrece may appear from his Supplement which he writ and which he has publisht in his Poems which because it will give you a taste of both their Muses I shall transcribe I. One of her Hands one of her Cheeks lay under Cozening the Pillow of a lawfull Kiss Which therefore swell'd seem'd to part asunder As angry to be robb'd of such a Bliss The One lookt pale and for Revenge did long Whilst t' other blusht 'cause it had done the wrong II. Out of the Bed the other fair Hand was On a green Sattin Quilt whose perfect white Lookt like a Dazie in a field of Grass And shew'd like unmelt snow unto the sight There lay this pretty perdue safe to keep The rest o' th' Body that lay fast asleep III. Her Eyes and
1667. The Story of Thalestris may be read in Q. Curtius lib. 6. c. 5. Just. lib. 3. Strabo lib. 5. c. Tho' our Author makes her somewhat nice in her Amours This Play was never acted by reason of the Author 's hearing of two Plays besides on the same Subject that were intended for the Stage WHITAKER The Author of a Play call'd Conspiracy or The Change of Government a Tragedy acted at His Royal Highness the Duke of York's Theatre and printed 4o. Lond. 1680. This Play is written in Heroick Verse as to its Character I shall leave it to the Judgment of abler Criticks Dr. Robert WILD A Doctor of the Presbyterian Leven but yet who it seems in his Juvenile Years was the Author of a Comedy call'd The Benefice which was printed 4o. Lond. 1689. His Opinion of the Orthodox Clergy may easily be collected from this Play tho' he is beholding to another Play call'd The Return from Pernassus or The Scourge of Simony for his Design His Poems are well known octavo 1605. Leonard WILLAN A Gentleman that flourish'd in the Reign of King Charles the Second This Author publish'd a Play call'd Astraea or True Loves Mirrour a Pastoral in Verse printed 8o. Lond. 1651. and dedicated to the Illustrious Princess Mary Dutchess of Richmond and Lenox This Play is founded on the Romance of Astraea writ by Mr. D'Urfé On this Author Mr. Herrick has writ a Copy of Verses which the Reader may peruse at leisure p. 354. of his Poems in octavo George WILKINS An Author that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First who was the Writer of a single Comedy besides that in which he joyn'd with Day and Rowley I mean The Travels of three English Brothers The Play I am speaking of is call'd Miseries of Inforced Marriage play'd by his Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1637. This Comedy has been a great part of it reviv'd by Mrs. Behn under the Title of The Town Fop or Sir Timothy Tawdry Robert WILMOT An Author in the time of Queen Elizabeth who at the desire of the Gentlemen of the Inner-Temple compos'd a Play call'd Tancred and Gismund their Tragedy acted before Her Majesty by the Gentlemen of the Temple printed 4o. Lond. 1592. and dedicated to the Right Worshipful and Vertuous Ladies the Lady Mary Peter and the Lady Anne Grey This Play is founded on a Story in Boccace see Day the fourth Novel the first John WILSON A Gentleman that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the Second if not still alive whose Muse has been applauded on the Stage His Play call'd The Cheats having the general Approbation of being an Excellent Comedy He has writ three Plays in Number of which take the following Account Andronicus Comnenus a Tragedy printed Lond. 1663. For the Plot consult Glycas Leunclaius Chorriates Cantacusenus c. Cheats a Comedy written in the Year 1662. and printed 2 d Edit 4o. Lond. 1671. The Author has sufficiently Apologiz'd for this Play in his Preface to which I refer you Projectors a Comedy printed 40. Lond. 1665. Robert WILSON A Gentleman that flourish'd in the time of Queen Elizabeth and was the Author of a Comedy call'd The Coblers Prophecy printed 4o. Lond. 1655. Nathaniel WOODS An Author that was a Minister in Norwich in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth and who writ an Old Comedy call'd Conflict of Conscience containing a most Lamentable Example of the doleful Desperation of a miserable Worldling by the Name of Philologus who forsook the Truth of God's Gospel for fear of the Loss of Life and worldly Goods The Actors Names divided into six parts most convenient for such as be dispos'd either to shew this Comedy in private Houses or otherwise printed 4o. Lond. 1581. John WRIGHT A Writer still living who has publisht two Plays the one being writ in Heroick Verse and the other disguis'd En Travesty They both bear the same Title and are bound together viz. Thyestes a Tragedy translated out of Seneca printed in octavo Lond. 1674. and dedicated to Bennet Lord Sherrard Mock Thyestes a Farce in Burlesque Verse and printed 4o. Lond. 1674. In commendation of these two Plays there is a Copy of Verses written by Mr. O. Salisbury which begins thus Did Seneca now live himself would say That your Translation has not wrong'd his Play But that in every Page in every Line Your Language does with equal splendor shine c. William WYTCHERLEY A Gentleman whom I may boldly reckon amongst the Poets of the First Rank no Man that I know except the Excellent Johnson having outdone him in Comedy in which alone he has imploy'd his Pen but with that Success that few have before or will hereafter match him His Plays are four in Number viz. Country Wife a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal and printed 4o. Lond. 1683. This is reckon'd an Admirable Play Gentleman Dancing-Master a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed in quarto Lond. 1673. Love in a Wood or Saint James's Park a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by His Majesty's Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1672. and dedicated to the Dutchess of Cleveland Plain Dealer a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by His Majesty's Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1678. and dedicated to Madam B Of this Play and its Author Mr. Dryden says thus The Author of the Plain Dealer whom I am proud to call My Friend has oblig'd all Honest and Virtuous Men by One of the most Bold most General and most Useful Satyrs which has been presented on the English Theatre But notwithstanding this Admirable Character I must take the Freedom to alledge That our Author has borrow'd his chief Characters of Manly and Olivia from Molliere's Le Misanthrope that of Major Old-fox from Scarron's City Romance and that of Vernish his seizing Fidelia and discovering her Sex may possibly be founded on Silvia Molliere's Memoires But notwithstanding all this the Play is Excellent in its kind and the Author's Character is justly drawn by Mr. Evelyn As long as Men are false and Women vain While Gold continues to be Virtues bane In pointed Satyr Wycherley shall Reign Y. Robert YARRINGTON An Ancient Writer in Queen Elizabeth's Time who has publisht a Play call'd Two Tragedies in One. The One of the Murther of Mr. Beech a Chandler in Thames-street and his Boy done by Thomas Mern The Other of a Young Child murther'd in a Wood by two Ruffins with the Consent of his Uncle printed in quarto Lond. 1601. Supposed Authors WE are now arriv'd at those Authors whose Names are not certainly known who discover themselves only to their Friends in private and disguise themselves from the Knowledge of the World by Two Letters only part of which we shall unriddle in the following Account R. A. Gent. This Author writ a Play call'd The Valiant Welchman or The True Chronicle History of the Life and Valiant Deeds of Charadoc the Great King of Cambria now call'd Wales This Play has been sundry times acted by the Prince of Wales his Servants but printed 4o. Lond. 1663. For the Plot of this Play 't is founded on true History see Tacitus Annals Milton's History of England
Ingenious Person lately deceas'd being one of the Squire Bedles in the University of Oxford His Skill in Languages particularly in Latin and Greek is sufficiently known to the Learned World He translated out of Greek the Electra of Sophocles and presented it to Her Highness the Lady Elizabeth printed 120. at the Hague 1649. Several Translations besides he has publish'd as Gratius his Cynegeticon printed 8o. Lond. 1654. and Prioli's Hist. of France some of Tully's Orations and his Latin Dictionary besides other School-Books several of which have been often reprinted and all of them shew his Great Industry and Parts E. W. A Person who was tho' not the Author yet the occasion of the Publication of a Comedy call'd Apollo Shroving compos'd for the Scholars of the Free-School of Hadleigh in Suffolk and acted by them on Shrove-Tuesday Feb. 6. 1626. written by the School-Master of Hadleigh and printed octavo 1627. J. W. The Author of a Play call'd The Valiant Scot which was printed 4o. Lond. 1637. and dedicated to the Right Honourable James Marquess Hamilton by the Publisher or Promoter of the Copy to the Press Mr. William Bowyer L. W. The Author of a Play call'd Orgula or The Fatal Error a Tragedy wherunto is annexed a Preface discovering the true Nature of Poesie with the proper use and Intention of such publick Divertisements printed 4o. Lond. 1658. and dedicated to the most accomplish'd Lady the Lady Frances Wildegoss M. W. Master of Arts. Another Author whose Play is bound in the Ternary of Plays 't is call'd The Marriage Broker or The Pander a Comedy printed 120. 1662. T. W. The third Author concern'd in that Volume having writ a Tragedy call'd Thornby-Abby or The London Maid All these Plays are dedicated to William Austin Esq by R. D. the Publisher W. W. The Translator of a Comedy writ by Plausus call'd Manaechmi printed 4o. Lond. 1515. This Author had translated several others in Manuscript tho' they were never permitted to come abroad in the World Unknown Authors WE are now come to the last Division of Authors I mean those whose Modesty or other Reasons have hinder'd the publication of their Names and as we have Decyphered some Authors in the foregoing Division upon Conjecture so we shall not pretermit to take Notice of such Plays whose Authors we can any ways guess at in this I shall Rank these as I did the former in an Alphabetical Method A. Abdicated Prince or The Adventures of Four Years a Tragi-comedy lately acted at Alba-Regalis by several Persons of Great Quality and printed Lond. 4 o 1690. This Play contains the Transactions of the Court and Nation during the Reign of the late King James under seigned Names there needs no Clavis the Persons being obvious to all Intelligent Persons The time of the Action is from the Coronation of King James to the Landing of his present Majesty Abraham's Sacrifice a Play which I never saw but do believe that it may possibly be a Translation from Theodore Beza Alarum for London or The Siege of Antwerpe with the Venturous Acts and Valiant Deeds of the Lame Souldier play'd by the Right Honourable the Lord Chamberlain his Servants printed Lond. 1602. Albion an Interlude mention'd by Kirkman which I never saw Albion's Triumph personated in a Masque at Court by the King and Queens Majesties and the Lords the Sunday after Twelfth-Night 1631. printed 4o. Lond. 1631. Mr. Inigo Jones had a Share in the Contrivance of this Masque Albumazar a Comedy presented before the King's Majesty at Cambridge by the Gentlemen of Trinity Colledge printed 4o. Lond. 1634. This was reviv'd at the King's House and a Prologue writ by Mr. Dryden see Miscellan Poems publish'd by him 8o. p. 279. Aminta a Pastoral translated from the Italian of Torquato Tasso to which is added Arriadne's Complaint in Imitation of Anguilara written by our Translator both printed in quarto Lond. 1628. Amorous Gallant or Love in Fashion a Comedy in Heroick Verse as it was acted and printed 4o. Lond. 1675. This Play has appeared abroad under the Title of The Amorous Orontus It is translated from a French Play written by Th. Corneille and call'd L'Amour à la mode It is founded on a Spanish Play writ by Ant. de Solis call'd by the same Name towit El Amor al uso Amorous Old Woman or 'T is well if it take a Comedy acted by their Majesties Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1684. I have been told this Play was writ by Tho. Duffet 't is printed with a New Title-page call'd The Fond Lady Arden of Feversham his True and Lamentable Tragedy who was most wickedly murthered by the means of his disloyal Wife who for the love she bare to one Mosebie hired two desperate Ruffins Black-will and Shak-bag to kill him printed 4o. Lond. 1599. in a Black Letter The Story is to be found in the Reign of Edward the Sixth see Hollingshead Goodwin Hayward Baker Beard 's Theatre of God's Judgment Book 2. Ch. 10. Edit 4. and the second part Chap. 6. added by Dr. Tho. Taylour Arraignment of Paris a Pastoral which I never saw but it is ascribed by Kirkman to Mr. W. Shakespear B. Battle of Aliazar fought in Barbary between Sebastian King of Portugal and Abdelmelech King of Morocco with the Death of Captain Stukeley play'd sundry times by the Lord High Admiral 's Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1594. For the Plot several Authors mention the Story the English Reader may find it in Heylin's Cosmography and Fuller's Worthies Band Ruff and Cuff an Interlude which other Catalogues mention but which I never saw Bastard a Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1652. The Plot of this Tragedy and part of the Language concerning Clare Rodriguez Balthazar and Mariana is borrow'd from the Loves of Schiarra and Florelia in the English Lovers and Catilina's Supplying her Mistress Mariana's Room on the Wedding Night is founded on the Story of Roberto and Isdaura in Gerardo the Unfortunate Spaniard p. 87. Bloody Duke or The Adventures for a Crown a Tragi-comedy acted at the Court of Alba Regalis by several Persons of Great Quality by the Author of the Abdicated Prince printed 4 o Lond. 1690. This Play comprises the publick Affairs from the first Discovery of the Popish-plot to the Death of King Charles the Second The Persons are as easily known as in the former C. Caesar's Revenge a Tragedy which I never saw Charles the First King of England his Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1649. and dedicated to King Charles the Second commended by a Copy of Verses Combat of Caps a Masque of which I can give no Account Commons Condition a Comedy which I never saw Constant Nymph or The Rambling Shepheard a Pastoral acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1678. Costly Whore a Comical History acted by the Company of Revels printed 4o. Lond. 1633. Contention between York and Lancaster with the Death of the Good Duke Humphrey and the Banishment and Death of the Duke of
Gray's Inn. Our Author in the Epistle both to this Play and The English Traveller pleads Modesty in not exposing his Plays to the publick view of the World in numerous Sheets and a large Volume under the Title of Works as others By which he would seem tacitly to arraign some of his Contemporaries for Ostentation and want of Modesty I am apt to believe that our Author levell'd his Accusation at Ben Johnson since no other Poet that I know of in those day gave his Plays the pompous Title of Works of which Sir John Suckling has taken notice in his Sessions of the Poets The first that broke silence was good Old Ben Prepar'd before with Canary Wine And he told them plainly that he deserv'd the Bays For his were call'd Works where others were but Plays This puts me in mind of a Distick directed by some Poet of that Age to Ben Johnson Pray tell me Ben where does the myst'ry lurk What others call a Play you call a Work Which was thus answer'd by a Friend of his The Author's Friend thus for the Author say's Ben's Plays are Works when others Works are Plays Fair Maid of the West or A Girl worth Gold the second Part acted before the King and Queen with approved Liking by the Queens Majesties Comedians printed 4 o Lond. 1631. and dedicated to the true Favourer of the Muses and all good Arts Thomas Hammond Esq of Grays-Inn These Plays as our Author acquaints his Patron ` Not only past the ` Censure of the Plebe and Gentry but of the Patricians and Pretextatae as also of our Royal-Augustus and Livia I know not where our Poet met with this Story but as Poets usually take the Foundation of a Play from a History or a Romance so these two Plays have serv'd for the Subject of a Romance which on this Model was writ by John Dancer above-mentioned to whom I refer you Fortune by Land and Sea a Tragi-comedy acted with great applause by the Queen's Servants written by our Author and the Well-Esteem'd William Rowly but not printed till after their Decease 4 o Lond. 1655. Four Prentices of London with the Conquest of Jerusalem a History divers times acted at the Red-Bull by the Queens Majesties Servants with good applause printed 4 o Lond. 1635. and dedicated to the Honest High-Spirited Prentices the Readers This Play was written as the Author says in his Infancy of Judgement in this kind of Poetry and his first Practice and that as Plays were then some sixteen Years before its Publication it was in the Fashion This Play is founded on the Exploits of the Famous Godfrey of Bulloign who took Jerusalem from the Infidels the 15. of July A.D. 1099. For the Story see Tasso's Il Gosredo Dr. Fuller's Holy War The late History of the Croïsades c. If you know not me you know no Body or The Troubles of Queen Elizabeth a History in two Parts printed 4 o Lond. 1623. This Play was printed without the Author's Knowledge or Consent and that so corruptly it not being divided into Acts that at the Reviving of it at the Cock-pit after having been acted for the space of one and twenty Years he writ a Prologue which particularly inveigh'd against this Imperfect Copy as will appear by the following Lines 'T was ill nurst And yet receiv'd as well perform'd at first Grac'd and frequented for the Cradle-Age Did throng the Seats the Boxes and the Stage So much that some by Stenography drew The Plot put it in print scarce one word true And in that lameness it has limpt so long The Author now to vindicate that wrong Hath took the pains upright upon it's feet To teach it walk so please you sit and see 't For the Plot see the Writers of the Life of Q. Elizabeth as Cambden Speed Du Chesne c. And our Author had so great a Veneration for that Heroick Pricess that he writ a little Historical Piece call'd England's Elizabeth printed 8 o Lond. 1631. Lancashire Witches a well receiv'd Comedy acted at the Globe on the Bank-side by the Kings Majesties Actors written by our Author and the Ingenious Rich. Brome and printed 4o. Lond. 16 I have read in my younger Days if I mistake not the Foundation of this Play in an old English Quarto but as to that part of the Plot where Whetstone revenges himself by his Aunt 's means on Arthur Shakstone and Bantam for calling him Bastard Act 4. Sc. the last 't is founded on the Story of John Teutonicus of Holberstad a place in High-Germany who was a known Bastard and a Magician Our Author has related this Story in Verse in his Hierarchy of Angels Lib. 8. pag. 512 c. Loves Mistris or The Queen's Masque three times acted before their Majesties within the space of eight Days in the presence of sundry Forreign Embassadours Publickly acted by the Queen's Comedians at the Phoenix in Drury-Lane The Second Impression corrected by the Author printed 4 o Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Edward Earl of Dorset The Play is founded on Apuleius's Golden Ass a kind of Romance in Latin and English'd by W. Addington 4 o Lond. 1634. Maidenhead well lost a pleasant Comedy publickly acted in Drury-Lane with much applause by her Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1634. Rape of Lucrece a true Roman Tragedy with the several Songs in their appointed places by Valerius the merry Lord among the Roman Peers The Copy revis'd and sundry Songs before omitted now inserted in their right places acted by the Majesties Servants at the Red-Bull printed 4 o Lond. 1638. For the Plot see Livy Dec. 1. C. 58. Florus Lib. 1. C. 7. Val. Max. Lib. 6. C. 11. Ex. 1. Robert Earl of Huntington's Downfall afterwards call'd Robin Hood of Merry Sherwoode with his Love to Chaste Matilda the Lord Fitz-water's Daughter afterwards his Fair Maid Marian acted by the Right Honourable the Earl of Nottingham the Lord High Admiral of England his Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1601. Robert Earl of Huntington's Death otherwise call'd Robin Hood of Merry Sherwoode with the Lamentable Tragedy of Chaste Matilda his Fair Maid Marian poyson'd at Dunmow by the King and printed 4o. Lond. 1601. Both these Plays are printed in Black-Letter but neither of them are divided into Acts. The first part is introduc'd by John Shelton Poet Laureat to King Henry the Eighth and the the second by Fryar Tuck For the Plot see our English Chronicles in the Reign of King Richard the First as Du Chesne Speed Baker c. See besides Fullers Worthies in the Account of Nottinghamshire p. 315 Drayton's Polyolbion Song 26. Royal King and Loyal Subject a Tragi-comedy acted with great applause by the Queens Majesties Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1637. The Plot of this Play extreamly resembles that of Fletcher's Loyal Subject Wise-Woman of Hogsden a Comedy sundry times acted with good applause printed quarto Lond. 1638. This Play is commended
lib. 3. c. 21. Don Carlos Prince of Spain a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1679. and dedicated to his Royal Highness the Duke This Play is writ in Heroick Verse as well as Alcibiades that being the first this the second that ever he writ or thought of writing For the History consult the Spanish Chronicles as Loüis de Mayerne Turquet's Chronicle of Spain Cabrera's Life of Philip the Second Thuanus Brantome c. Tho' I believe our Author chiefly follow'd the Novel of Don Carlos translated from the French and printed 8o. Lond. 1674. which is the most perfect Account of that Tragical Story that I have met with Friendship in Fashion a Comedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1678. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Dorset and Middlesex This is a very diverting Play and was acted with general applause Orphan or The Unhappy Marriage a Tragedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1680. and dedicated to her Royal Highness the Dutchess This is a very moving Tragedy and is founded on a Novel call'd English Adventures See the History of Brandon p. 17. Souldiers Fortune a Comedy acted by their Royal Highness's Servants at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1681. This Play is dedicated to Mr. Bentley his Stationer and is as he says a sort of Acquittance for the Money receiv'd for the Copy There are several passages in this Play that have been touch'd before by others As for Instance the Plot of My Lady Dunce making her Husband the Agent in the Intrigue between Beaugard and her to convey the Ring and Letter is the Subject of other Plays writ before this as The Fawne and Flora's Vagaries and the Original Story is in Boccace's Novels Day 3. Nov. 3. Sir Jolly boulting out of his Closet and surprising his Lady and Beaugard kissing and her Deportment thereupon is borrow'd from Scarron's Comical Romance in the Story of Millamant or The Rampant Lady p. 227. tho' by the way that Story is not in the French Copy and I suppose was not writ by Scarron but was rather translated from Les Amours des Dames Illustres de nôtre Siecle The Behaviour of Bloody-bones is like the Bravo in the Antiquary and that of Courtine at Silvia's Balcony like Monsieur Thomas his Carriage to his Mistress in that Play of Fletcher's so called Titus and Berenice a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1677. and dedicated with the Cheats of Scapin as aforesaid This Play is translated from the French of Monsieur Racine it consists of three Acts and is written in Heroick Verse For the Story of Titus and Berenice see Suetonius in his Life Ch. 7. See besides Josephus Dion c. Venice preserved or A Plot discovered a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1682. and dedicated to the Dutchess of Portsmouth I have not at present any particular History of Venice by me but suppose this Story may be found in some of the Writers on the Venetian Affairs as Bembus Sabellicus Maurocenus Paruta c. Besides his Dramatick Poems our Author writ a Stitcht Poem call'd The Poet's Complaint to his Muse printed 4o. Lond. 1680. and a Pastoral on King Charles the Second printed with Mrs. Behn's Lycidas 8o. p. 81. Add to these his Translation out of French being a Book call'd The History of the Triumvirates printed since his Decease 8o. Lond. 1686. P. John PALSGRAVE AN Author that liv'd in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth He was Bachelor of Divinity but of what University I know not and was Chaplain to the King He printed a Play in an Old English Character call'd Accolastus a Comedy printed 4o. 1540. and dedicated to King Henry the Eighth This Play was translated from the Latine Accolastus written by Gulielmus Fullonius the English being printed after the Latine The Plot is the Parable of the Prodigal Son in the Gospel and the Author has endeavour'd to imitate Terence and Plautus in the Oeconomy 'T was set forth by the Author Fullonius before the Burgesses of the Hague in Holland An. Dom. 1529. This Author publisht besides L'Eclaircissement de la Langue Francoise 1530. George PEEL An Author that liv'd in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth and was formerly Student and Mr. of Arts of Christ-Church Colledge in Oxford He is the Author of Two Plays which are in print viz. David and Bethsabe their Love with the Tragedy of Absalom divers times play'd on the Stage and printed 4o. Lond. 1599. This Play is founded on Holy Scripture See Samuel Kings c. Edward the First Sirnamed Edward Longshanks with his Return from the Holy Land Also the Life of Llewellin Rebel in Wales Lastly the sinking of Queen Elinor who sunk at Charing-Cross rose again at Potters Hithe now named Queen-hithe printed 4o. Lond. 1593. For the Story see the Authors that have writ of those times as Walsingham Fabian Matth. Westm. Pol. Virgil Grafton Hollingshead Stow Speed Martyn Baker c. I am not ignorant that another Tragedy to wit Alphonsus Emperor of Germany is ascribed to him in former Catalogues which has occasion'd Mr. Winstanley's mistake but I assure my Reader that that Play was writ by Chapman for I have it by me with his Name affixt to it Mr. Philips mentions some Remnants of his Poetry extant in a Book call'd England's Hellicon which I never saw Mary Countess of PEMBROKE The belov'd Sister of the Admirable Sr. Philip Sidney to whom he dedicated his Arcadia and Patron to the Ingenious Daniel A Lady whose Inclinations led her not only to the Patronage but love of the Muses as appears by a Tragedy of Hers in print call'd Antonius which to my regret I never yet saw though I have earnestly desired it it is thus commended by Mr. Daniel in his Dedication of Cleopatra I who contented with an humble Song Made Musick to my self that pleas'd me best And only told of Delia and her wrong And prais'd her Eyes and plain'd mine own unrest A Text from whence my Muse had not digrest Had I not seen thy well grac'd Anthony Adorn'd by thy sweet stile in our fair Tongue Requir'd his Cleopatra's Company Mr. Philips through mistake as formerly has ascrib'd another Play to her viz. Albion's Triumph a Masque I know nothing else of this Admirable Lady's Writing KATHARINE PHILLIPS Mrs. Katherine PHILIPS A Lady of that admirable Merit and Reputation that her Memory will be honour'd of all Men that are Favourers of Poetry One who not only has equall'd all that is reported of the Poetesses of Antiquity the Lesbian Sapho and the Roman Sulpitia but whose Merit has justly found her Admirers amongst the greatest Poets of our Age and though I will not presume to compare our Poets with Martial who writ in praise of Sulpitia or Horace Ausonius and Sydonius who commended Sapho least I offend their Modesty who are still living yet I
quarto Lond. 1678. This is said in the Title-page to be writ by a Person of Quality tho' I have been told it was writ by Mr. Rawlins But whoever was the Author 't is certainly inferiour to Epsom Wells in point of Humour and Repartee Tyrannical Government another Play which I never saw U. Unfortunate Usurper a Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1663. This Play is dedicated by the Author who ever he was to his Honoured and Highly Esteemed Friend Mr. Edward Umfreville Fox the Plot 't is founded on History being the Story of Andronicus Comnenus See Glycas Leunclaius Choniates Cantacusenus Nicetas Baronius c. This Play is short of that of Willson's on the same Subject but in the Fifth Act Sc. 3 there is a paralel between those Times and Ours in Reference to the Late Rebellion which I take to be the best thing in the Play Ungrateful Favourite a Tragedy written by a Person of Honour and printed quarto Lond. 1664. The Scene of this Play lies in Naples but in what King 's Reign this happened I am not able to guess so that whether it be founded on Romance or History I leave to the Enquiry of those who have read Pandulphus Collenuctius Jov. Pontanus Guicciardine or others Writers of the Affairs of Naples W. Warning for Fair Women a Tragedy containing the most Tragical and Lamentable Murther of Mr. George Sanders of London Merchant near Shooters Hill consented unto by his own Wife acted by Capt. George Brown Mrs Drury and Trusty Roger Agents therein with their several Ends. This Play was in Vogue in Queen Elizabeth's Time and divers times acted by the Right Honourable the L d Chamberlain's Servants 'T is not divided into Acts and full of Dumb-shews according to the Mode of those Times the Prologue and Epilogue being spoken by Tragedy 'T is printed in a Black Letter 4o. Lond. 1599. Wealth and Health a Play of which I can give no Account Weakest goes to the Wall a Tragi-comedy played sundry times by the Right Honourable the Earl of Oxenford Lord Great Chamberlain of England's Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1618. Wily beguiled a pleasant Comedy wherein the Chiefest Actors be these a Poor Scholar a Rich Fool and a Knave at a Shift printed quarto Lond. 16 Wine Beer Ale and Tobacco contending for Superiority a Dialogue tho' in other Catalogues stiled an Interlude printed 4o. Lond. 1658. Wisdom of Dr. Dodipol a Comedy acted by the Children of Pauls and printed quarto Lond. 1600. The Earl Cassimeere's Friendship in marrying Deformed Cornelia and Sharing his Estate with her Father Flores when he was in Affliction and Arrested by the Duke's Order is copy'd from Lucian's Story of Zenothemis and Menecrates Wits or Sport upon Sport a Collection of Drolls and Farces presented at Fairs by Stroling Players and printed last Edition octavo Lond. 1675. These are most of them taken out of the Plays of Shakespear Fletcher Shirley Marston c. There is a former Edition that has a Table prefixed which shews from what Play each Droll is borrowed Wit of a Woman a pleasant merry Comedy printed quarto Lond. 1604. Tho' the Author stiles it so I think it no ways answers the Title Wit led by the Nose or A Poet's Revenge a Tragi-comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal and printed quarto Lond. 1678. The greatest part of this Play except a Scene or two is stollen from Chamberlain's Love's Victory Woman turn'd Bully a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed quarto Lond. 1675. This I take to be a very Diverting Comedy FINIS * In the Epistle Fuller's Chr. Hist. p. 43. * Pref. to 4 Plays Fol. a Mr. Rymer's Pref. to Kapin's Reflections on Aristotle's Treatise of Poetry b Preface to Gondibert c Epistle to Darius 4o. Edin Edingh 1603. d Epistle to Baron's Hars a Epistle to the Reader b pag. 16◠c pag. 113. d See his Life pag. 110. e Pref. to Sir Patient Fancy f Pref. to Mock Astrologer g City Romance pag. 2. h See Epistle Dedicatory i Poems pag. 151. k Pref. to Scarron's Novels l Davenants Poems p. 275. m Lives of the Poets p. 114. n Volume the Second o Cockain's Poems p. 204. p Theatrum Poetarum pag. 157. q De Arte Poetica r De Arte Poetica s See his Travels third Edit p. 114. t Worthies Warwick-shire pag. 127. u See Prologue to Poetaster a Poems pag. 8. b See Davenant's Works c See Dryden's Misc. Poems p. 281. d L.5 c. 6 e Sat. 4. * Epilogue to the Play f Memoires pag. 422. g Antiq. Oxoniens p. 274. g Antiq. Oxoniens pag. 274. h Pref. to Spanish Friar i Pref. to Reasons for Bays Changing his Religion k Prologue to the Play l Epistle Dedicatory m Trane du Poeme Epique lib. 1. cap. 7 n Pref. to Troilus and Cressida o De Arte Poetica p See Cokain's Epigrams l. 2. Ep. 7. q See his Poems p. 93. r See pag. 118. s Pag. 57. t Pag. 13. u Pag. 163. x Epigr. L. 2. Ep. 124. y A Romance Translated from the Italian of Giovanni Francisco Lovedano z Epistle to the Reader a See the Epistle to the Reader b See Theatre de Corneille tom 2 d The Title of his Book e Sat. 1. f Essay of Himself pag. 143. g Idem p. 144. h Dr. Sprat See his Life in the last page i Preface to his Works Pag. 2. k Idem l Life pag. 6. m Denham's Poems p. 90. n See his Life p. 11. o Mr. Rymer's Pref. to Aristotle's Treatie of Poesy Excessit è vita An. AEt 49. honorifica pompa elatus ex AEd. Buckinghamianis viris Illustribus omnium Ord. exsequias celibrantibus sepultus est die 30. M. Aug. A.D. 1667. q Modern Poets p. 1. r Tate's Collection of Poems p. 45. f Rochester's Poems p. 109. t See the Play p. 16. u Epistle Dedicatory a Fuller's Worthies Somerset-shire p. 28. b Antiq. Oxon. p. 372. c Mr. Crown 's Epistle to Andromache d Act 1. Sc. 2. e Act. 2. Sc. 4. f Act. 2. Sc. 7. g Mr. Bobun's Translation of Mr. Whear's Meth. Legendi Hist. 8o. p. 171. h Choice Drollery 8o. Lond. 1656. p. 6. i Sportive Wit 8o. p. 70. k Epigram 8o. Oxon. 1601. l Measure for Measure Act. 1. Sc. 1. m Law against Lovers Act 1. Sc. 1. n Antiq. Oxon. 2. 168. o Pag. 5. p Pag. 14. q Wits Metriment 8o. p. 20. r Preface to Tempest s Pag. 107. c. t Fancy's Theatre u See Epistle Dedicatory x Modern Poets p. 116. y Lives of the Poets p. 137. z See his Epistle to King Charles the Second a Ep. Ded. to Rival Ladies b See Pag. 83. c De Arte Poetica d Epistle Dedicatory e Preface to Mock Astrologer f Love in a Nunnery p. 59. g The Chief Hero in a Romance call'd Almatride h Poesies de M. de Voiture p. 457. i Act. 5. Sc. 1. k Postscript